FG’s Virtual Institutions Train 36,000 on IT Skills -Pantami

FG’s Virtual Institutions Train 36,000 on IT Skills -Pantami

A large proportion of the 36,000 Nigerians who enrolled for Information Technology (IT) skills acquisition in the virtual institutions established by the Federal Government (FG) have completed their training and since been certified, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has said.

The virtual digital institutions were established during the early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown, across the country.

The Economic Confidential gathered that the government collaborated with IBM, and Microsoft, among other international IT firms to train selected participants on emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, internet fibre optics, among other key Information Communication Technology (ICT) marketable areas.

Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy disclosed this on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Pantami spoke at the “Second Phase of the Virtual Commissioning of Projects,” executed by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

Some of the virtually commissioned projects include Tertiary Institution Knowledge Centre (TIKC), in Delta State University, Abraka; School Knowledge Centre (SKC) at Government Day Secondary School, Hassan Central, in Gombe State; and a Health Data Sharing Centre, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), in Bauchi State.

Others are Virtual Examination Centre in University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID); Information Technology Innovation Park at the Kogi State University, in Ayingba; and Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) at Ilorin and Calabar, in Kwara and Cross-Rivers States, respectively.

In his remark at the event, Dr. Pantami, explained that the projects are not only related to the eight pillars of the digital economy but the three cardinal agenda of Mr President’s administration.

He said the ECCs will greatly support the security agencies to swiftly nip crimes in the nip.

The Communications and Digital Economy Minister, further added that the IT Incubation Centres being championed by NITDA will go a long way in promoting and supporting FG’s economic diversification agenda.

He said: “Some of the projects related to e-governance will also go a long way in fighting corruption. Because the more our activities are digitalized, the less of physical financial transaction, which leads to fraudulent manipulations”.

Governors Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Hope Uzodinma of Gombe and Imo States, and Ministers, among other eminent guests, attended commissioning ceremony.